Hillcoat explained in a recent interview that Hardy developed instant on-screen chemistry with his co-star LaBeouf.

"I kept hearing about this incredible guy called Tom Hardy. I started watching his work, and I was awestruck… he was amazing," the fillmaker said, according to Flicks and Bits.

Hillcoat further explained: "I could also see Tom and Shia as brothers… Tom's approach was very much about the different emotional textures there were to [his character] Forrest and how distilled and controlled he was. It was a unique and fascinating attitude towards the character."